Manny Smith has been impressed by the level of competition for places among the Wrexham squad, and insists it is helping everyone within the Dragons ranks remain fully focused.

Smith was an ever present for Wrexham last season, playing every minute of all 61 matches in a mammoth campaign which also included FA Cup and FA Trophy runs.

The big centre-half has again played every minute in Wrexham’s nine games so far this term, but found himself in the unusual position at right-back for Saturday’s 3-1 win over Altrincham, a victory that moved the Dragons up to second in the National League standings.

Smith’s move to the right of the defence was prompted by a hamstring injury suffered by Javan Vidal a week earlier at Lincoln City, with Blaine Hudson coming into the starting XI for the first time since the opening day defeat at Bromley to partner Jamal Fyfield at centre-back.

And Smith had a word of praise for Hudson, who was his long time centre-half partner last season, believing it is important he and Ross White – the youngster having returned to full-time training on Monday after shaking off an ankle injury – continue to press their case for a place in the starting XI.

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“It is good to have everyone fit and fighting for positions,” said Smith. “Blaine hasn’t played since the first game of the season and for him to come in and put a performance in like he did, and get a goal is a credit to him and the way we have been as a squad.

“There is always pressure for places, and it is up the gaffer what he wants to do, but everyone knows he can only pick 11 players and those who are on the bench or miss out will know they just need to carry on and keep working, because their chance will come and they need to keep pushing those in the side.

“We have got quality players in all positions, I think all we can do is just look forward to our next game and just keep striving for the three points every game and putting in the performances and keep doing what we are doing.”

Mills was keeping his cards close to his chest on Monday as to the make up of his side for Tuesday’s return to his former club Gateshead, but revealed Vidal was back in training and therefore contention.

And the manager also added the return of Vidal, plus the performance of Smith at right-back and also Hudson on his return to the line up had given him food for thought ahead of the contest.

Smith insists he is happy to play anywhere for the Dragons, but adds he was glad not to have a Wes York style player lining up against him for Altrincham.

He added: “It was a different experience for me, playing at right-back, I know I am not going to offer what Jav offers flying up the wings and everything, but I didn’t have a tricky winger on me so I think he made my job a bit easier, I was just able to hold off.

“When you have got Wes in front of you, I just let him do what he does best and go one-on-one, and I think me overlapping Wes just complicated things, so I jut gave him the ball and just let him do what he does.

“I had to pick my times when to get forward and try and support and get up the pitch, but I didn’t want to over do it, because I am then going to have to run back and I am not used to doing that much running at centre-half, so I just tried to simplify my game and find a team-mate.”